Dome structure

Abstract

A dome structure is disclosed, comprising an upper part of a dome structure having a top portion and a bottom portion and being erected on a structure with the bottom portion of the dome frame contacting the structure, the dome structure comprising a plurality of arch-shaped steel trusses, each of which comprises a plurality of upper chord members and a plurality of lower chord members; and at least two pairs of compression rings, each ring in a pair being of a different diameter and being engaged with the top portion of the dome structure, at least the pairs of the compression rings supporting the upper chord members, and one of the rest of the pairs of the compression rings supporting the lower chord members, the steel trusses extending radially from the compression ring to the structure.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A dome structure, comprising: a base;   an upper assembly erected on and extending upward and inward from the base, and including i) a bottom section contacting and supported by the base, and   ii) a plurality of arch-shaped steel trusses connected to and extending upward and inward from said bottom section, each of the trusses including an upper end portion, a plurality of upper chord members and a plurality of lower chord members; and     a ring assembly engaging and supporting the upper end portions of the trusses, and including at least upper and lower pairs of rings engaging upper end portions of the trusses, and wherein i) each ring of each of said pairs has a diameter different than the diameter of the other ring of the pair,   ii) the rings of the upper pair of rings are connected to and support the upper chord members, and   iii) the rings of the lower pair of rings are connected to and support the lower chord members.     
     
     
       2. A dome structure according to claim 1, wherein each of the trusses further includes a lower, peripheral end portion;   the upper assembly further includes a tension ring connected to the lower peripheral end portions of the trusses.   
     
     
       3. A dome structure according to claim 2, wherein the tension ring engages the base and prevents thrust forces exerted by the trusses from being transmitted to the base. 
     
     
       4. A dome structure comprising: a base;   an upper assembly erected on an extending upward and inward from the base, and including i) a bottom section contacting and supported by the base, and   ii) a plurality of arch-shaped steel trusses connected to and extending upward and inward from said bottom section, each of the trusses including an upper end portion, a plurality of upper chord members and a plurality of lower chord members; and     a ring assembly engaging and supporting the upper end portions of the trusses, and including at least upper and lower pairs of rings engaging upper end portions of the trusses,   the upper pair of rings including a first ring and a second ring, each of the first and second rings being connected to and supporting the upper chord members, each of the first and second rings having a diameter, and the diameter of the first ring being different than the diameter of the second ring;   the lower pair of rings including a third ring and a fourth ring, each of the third and fourth rings being connected to and supporting the lower chord members, each of the third and fourth rings having a diameter, and the diameter of the third ring being different than the diameter of the fourth ring.   
     
     
       5. A dome structure according to claim 4, wherein: the diameter of the second ring is larger than the diameter of the first ring;   the second ring is located below and is concentric with the first ring;   the diameter of the fourth ring is larger than the diameter of the third ring; and   the fourth ring is located below and is concentric with the third ring.